invidious

[in-vid-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful.

   invidious remarks.

2. offensively or unfairly discriminating; injurious.

   invidious comparisons.

3. causing or tending to cause animosity, resentment, or envy.

   an invidious honor.

4. Obsolete.,  envious.

invidious

/ ɪnˈvɪdɪəs /

adjective

1. incurring or tending to arouse resentment, unpopularity, etc

   an invidious task

2. (of comparisons or distinctions) unfairly or offensively discriminating

3. obsolete,  grudging; envious

Other Word Forms

• invidiously adverb
• invidiousness noun
• noninvidious adjective
• noninvidiously adverb
• noninvidiousness noun
• uninvidious adjective
• uninvidiously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of invidious¹

1600–10; < Latin invidiōsus envious, envied, hateful, equivalent to invidi ( a ) envy + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of invidious¹

C17: from Latin invidiōsus full of envy, from invidia _envy

Example Sentences

In truth, the PGA of America put Bradley in an invidious position by appointing him long before his days at the top of the game are done.

From BBC

"The parents found themselves in a wholly invidious decision when they made the decision they made," she said.

From BBC

"I want to ensure that Disney and ABC have not been violating FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination," he said.

From BBC

His office also told the BBC "it was an invidious situation that Stephen Cottrell lived with every day that he was Bishop of Chelmsford until he was able to take action."

From BBC

A spokesperson for Mr Cottrell said he had been in an "invidious situation" and did not have the legal power to sack the priest.

From BBC